The summer of 1985 was fairly cool with temperatures throughout the state below normal, particularily during June when it was 7.2°F cooler than average. Precipitation in the southern regions was below normal with extremely dry to drought conditions in the southeast and south central. Precipitation in the northern regions was 0.5'' above average in June and near normal in July. While this doesn't seem too out of the ordinary, much of the rain came in deluges, especially in June. One storm in Koochiching County dumped 5lf4" of rain, and Lake of the Woods County received 9" in four days. High water levels resulted and, along with early and late

frosts, caused extensive crop damage in the northwest and north central regions. The cool, wet early summer weather may also have been respon~ible for delayed or unsuccessful first nesting attempts and reports of lots of singing in mid to late July.

During the season 59 observers reported 259 species, about the average number seen in the past ten summers, but down from the highs of 1984 (267) and 1983 (271). There was at least some observer coverage of most of the state, but some counties received little attention. Not surprisingly, low species totals, indicating lack of observer coverage, were reported from some 'out of the way' counties such as Fillmore (5), Traverse (2), Red Lake (5), and Kittson (0!), this year's birder's no man's land. The scant coverage of Carver County (only three species) was more surprising because it's adjacent to Hennepin , the county with the most seasonal reporters.

Isanti, Chisago, Pine, and Carlton, given their proximity to the state's two largest urban areas, seemed only lightly covered, and along with Koochiching, Itasca, Crow Wing, Kandiyohi and Renville, could stand more attention next year. The counties with the highest species totals were St. Louis (168), Marshall (163), Cook (146), and Hennepin (139). We can't expect such coverage in every county, but as more receive this kind of attention the comparative value of all contributions will increase and provide more insights into breeding bird distribution in Minnesota.

Although it was a less than spectacular season for rarities, there were, nonetheless, many interesting sightings. Cook County had its usual quota of unusual sightings: a Horned Grebe summering east of its range; an adult male Harlequin Duck in breeding plumage in midsummer (one was also seen at Lake of the Woods); very late migrating Olsquaws, American Pipits, and Surf Scoter; and a rare Rufous Hummingbird seen in late July, only the second seen in ten summers. Several regular summer residents were reported unusually far out of their ranges, including a Bald Eagle in Murray County in early June and an eastern race Eastern Towhee at Blue Mounds State Park. There were some unusually late spring mig~ants: a Palm Warbler in Blue Earth County; several sightings of Olivesided Flycatchers in southern counties, including one in Houston County on June 16.

Among unusually early fall migrants were a American Golden-Plover in Brown, a Willet in Lyon, four Bonaparte's Gulls in Nicollet, and Purple Finches in Brown. Good bird sleuthing in the New Ulm area of Brown County continued to increase our knowledge of the possible extent of ranges of several species including the Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Prothonotary and Blue-winged Warblers. Other summer highlights included: a Little Gull in Jackson; a Ruff in Lyon; a House Finch in LeSueur; Caspian Terns more common and widespread than usual with midsummer reports from as far south as Goodhue and Cottonwood; unusual numbers of Redbreasted Nuthatches in the Twin Cities area; and Yellow-breasted Chats reported again in Dakota.

Notable too were some of the species not seen in this season: for the third consecutive summer there were no reports of Long-eared or Short-eared Owls or Little Blue Herons; for the second year no Burrowing Owls or Northern Bobwhites; for the first time in ten years no Henslow's Sparrows were reported; Sprague's Pipit which had been reported five of the last seven years was not found this season; and the Chuck-will's-widow seen in Sherburne County the last four years was not reported this year.

A superb effort by the many nest and brood card contributors produced nesting evidence for 177 species, the highest number in over ten years. A total of 1136 cards was submitted describing 3156 nests or broods. This year's most prolific nest finders were Nestor Hiemenz, Wayne Tasler, Jack Sprenger, Karl Bardon, Herbert and Jeanette Fisher, Mark and Jean Newstrom, and Forest and Kirsten Strnad. Keep up the good work!

Among the nesting highlights were: seven nests of American Avocets and a female Bufflehead with six young at Agassiz NWR; probable nesting of American Three-toed Woodpeckers at Seagull Lake in Cook County; Black-billed Magpies nesting in the same location as last year in St. Louis, and an adult with a juvenile in Clay County; Canada Geese nesting in at least 18 counties this season, probably an all-time high; following a strong winter invasion, Pine Siskins summering in much of the south half of the state and reported nesting in six counties there. Definitely not a highlight were discouraging reports on Piping Plover nest success. Only one nest was reorted from Duluth, and at Lake of the Woods most of the nests on Pine and Curry Islands were destroyed by the unusually high water levels.

The style used for summarizing the species information will be recognized as that used in past seasons and described by Jan Green (The Loon 54: 14-15) with a few exceptions that need to be pointed out. Two categories are used for breeding records, "nested" and "probable nesting." Records included in the "nested" category met criteria established for positive nesting by Green and Janssen (Minnesota Birds, p.7): "nest with eggs, or adult sitting on nest constantly, or eggshells near nest; young in nest seen or heard; downy young, or young still unable to fly (including short-tailed young), seen away from nest." Breeding records were assigned to probable nesting if not enough information was supplied to determine the nature of the breeding record or if they fit Green and Janssen 's definition of inferred nesting: "nest-building or excavation of nest-hole in progress; adults seen in distraction display or feigning injury; used nest found; recently fledged young seen (including long-tailed young); adult seen carrying fecal sac; adult seen carrying food for young; adult seen entering or leaving nest site in circumstances indicating occupied nest. " Counties in which positive breeding was documented for the first time since 1970 are bold-faced and were identified using updated versions of Janssen and Simonson's breeding maps (the Loon 56:167-186, 219239, 57:15-34). Unusual locations are boldfaced under the also seen section.

Certainly many "probable nestings" could have been assigned to the "nested" category had more specific information been supplied by the observer. With this in mind we'll encourage seasonal reporters to complete nest or brood cards (available from Kim Eckert or us) whenever they encounter evidence of breeding. Besides easing the compiler's job filling out a card will make the record more easily retrievable because it can be filed with other MOU cards for the species. And don't overlook the more common species -even the ubiquitous American Robin has yet to have nesting documented in 32 counties (since 1970).

We'd also encourage nest and brood card contributors to be as complete and specific as possible. Make the card fit your observation, rather than your observation fit the card, i.e., if the circumstances of your observation don't fit the categories listed on the card, then cross out the inappropriate portion of the card and add your own information. Also, don't hesitate to use the back of the card to further describe your observation or provide details on nest location, habitat, etc. Such data immeasurably increase the value of observations to researchers.

A final word or two to summer season reporters. For rare species, or those near the edge or out of their breeding range, please provide specific locations (except for common migrants during normal migration periods) and dates. This will make it easier to determine the significance of the sighting (migrant, vagrant, possible breeder, etc.) and help 'fine tune' our knowledge of species range boundaries. Also, as with the nest and brood cards, don't overlook the more common species on your seasonal report. Faithfully noting their presence will increase the comparative value of your report and help detect changes in their populations or ranges.